By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Melbourne United announced a landmark deal with NBA veteran Cole Anthony on Wednesday.
Following 367 NBA games with the Orlando Magic and Milwaukee Bucks since 2020, the 26-year-old point guard was reportedly linked to several EuroLeague teams but opted to join the National Basketball League powerhouse for the 2026–27 season.
Per the press release: “Melbourne United have locked in the final piece of the team’s roster for the Hungry Jack’s NBL27 season, securing the signature of 26-year-old star point guard, Cole Anthony.
NBA STAR COLE ANTHONY IS UNITED.
A 355-game NBA veteran entering the prime of his career, Anthony comes to us as one of the most athletic and dynamic guards the NBL will have ever seen.
Five seasons with Orlando. One with the Bucks. Next: Melbourne.
📰 https://t.co/gMfzK2erOy pic.twitter.com/LObEeoAduH— Melbourne United (@MelbUnited) August 5, 2026
A 367-game NBA veteran entering the prime of his career, Anthony comes to United as one of the most athletic and dynamic guards the NBL will have ever seen.
Standing 188cm, the New York native has used his size and speed to attack the world’s best defenders, creating scoring opportunities for himself and his teammates at an elite level.
“I’m super excited to begin this journey with Melbourne United,” Anthony said to Melbourne United Media.
“This is a great opportunity to continue growing as a player and compete for a championship.
“I’m ready to get to work and can’t wait to represent the club and meet the fans!”
Across his NBA career, which has included five seasons with the Orlando Magic and one season with the Milwaukee Bucks, Anthony has averaged 12 points, 4.1 rebounds and 3.8 assists, including a career-high 37-point performance against the Philadelphia 76ers.
With his inaugural Melbourne United roster complete, Head Coach Jacob Chance touched on how he believes Anthony can impact the side’s push for a Championship.
“In this last spot, we wanted an elite guard with the ability to help lead our offense with his scoring ability, who makes his teammates better, while also being a really good person off the court, and Cole Anthony checks every one of those boxes,” Chance explained.
“His pace of play, his strength finishing around the rim, his vision, his versatility playing off the ball as a shooter, his willingness to get down in a stance and defend, all of that makes him the perfect guard for this team.
“In my conversations with him, it’s been very clear that his primary focus is winning, and I’m confident that his best basketball is still ahead of him so coming to the NBL we expect him to elevate his game to a new level, in-turn lifting everyone around him.
“This is a huge moment for our club. I already can’t wait to see him in a United jersey inside John Cain Arena.”
The son of NBA star Greg Anthony, Cole grew up in New York, honing his craft working alongside trainers and battling on local courts before establishing himself as one of the nation’s best high school players.
All before reaching college, the star guard was collecting accolades such as MVP of the Nike Hoop Summit, Jordan Brand Classic, and McDonald’s All-American Game, as well as Nike EYBL MVP (2018) and Defensive Player of the Year (2017).
Exiting high school, Anthony was ranked as one of the country’s top prospects, ultimately leading to him joining the University of North Carolina, where he averaged 18.5 points, 5.7 rebounds and 4 assists per game over 22 games.
This landed him a spot on the All-ACC Third Team and the All-ACC Freshman Team ahead declaring for the 2020 NBA Draft.
Selected 15th by Orlando, Anthony quickly became a fan favourite for the Magic thanks to his ability to produce huge highlights, as well as the passion he displayed every possession.
For the 2023-24 season, he was joined on the Magic by Joe Ingles, with the pair suiting up for 75 games together, 60% of which were victories.
Now reunited with Melbourne United, Ingles said he expects Anthony to dominate on the court.
“Cole is an elite scorer, elite competitor, and I think he’s going to have a big impact here in the NBL,” Ingles said.
“I think a point guard in this league is very important, and we’ve got a hell of a local point guard with Shea Ili, so adding in Cole with his pace, his ability to score at a high level, it’s going to be a handful for other teams.”
“We’ve got a really unselfish team, and I think he adds to that. He’s going to command so much attention from the defence, and that’s going to open things up for everyone on the court with him.
“He’s a great guy, he’s got a big personality, and I think United fans are going to love him.”
Anthony is set to arrive in Melbourne in the coming weeks to join his new teammates.
He joins a roster featuring Kyle Bowen, Chris Goulding, Shea Ili, Joe Ingles, Fabijan Krslovic, Sean Macdonald (NRP), Malith Machar, Josh Oduro, Luke Travers, Sam Waardenburg and Tom Wilson as well as Development Players Jensen Bradtke, Christian D’Angelo and Harry Neilson.”
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